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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

rear end swap

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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 04:50 PM
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rear end swap

well my old rear end out of my 86 f250 locked up on me so i tracked down another one and i noticed that the rear end on my truck the ring gear looks to be bigger than the used rear end i picked up i was wondering if the new one will work they are both 3.55 ratio thank you for your help ill post some pics up
 
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 05:14 PM
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i have pics in my gallery
 
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 05:24 PM
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when you say that the ring gear looks bigger, do you mean that you took off the differential cover and looked, or just the pumpkin looks bigger? if you ended up with a rear end of a different year, it may be a slightly different rear end, though thats important to know in case you ever want to upgrade the rear. as long as the spring to spring distance is correct, the ratios are the same, and it will bolt up to your wheels and driveshaft you shouldn't have any problems.
 
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 06:31 PM
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yeah i took the diff covers off and looked i have pics in my gallery but if you say all of the stuff fits up im sure it will work
 
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 07:10 PM
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I'm a little confused. Are you looking at swapping the whole differential or just the ring gears? The differential in the first pic looks like an 8.8" rear end out of a 1/2 ton. The rearend in your truck looks like a Sterling 10.25". The 10.25" means the diameter of the ring gear. If that is an 8.8" rear in the first pic, I'm not 100% sure it will fit.

If your'e looking at swapping out the whole rear end, I'd look for another Sterling rear and avoid a 1/2 ton axle, especially if you tow heavy loads.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 10:25 AM
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Im told it was from a 3/4 ton it has 8 lugs on it, i do plan on swapping the whole rear end. I dont ussually haul heavy loads.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2006 | 08:23 AM
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The standard rears in the half tons (F150-Bronco) is the 8.8 and the 9".
Ford also put the 8.8 in the F250's and E250's with a semi-float 8 lug axle.
The 8.8 is a lighter duty rear, however still a good one!
As long as the rear you are installing came out of a truck (same leaf spring mounting width) and is the same ratio, you should have no problems.
Steve G.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 02:17 PM
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everything went really smoothly except for the drive shaft length, i need to get mine extended about 3" un less you guys have any other suggestions
 
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 03:07 PM
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you can either get it extended, or try and dig up one that is the right size from the junkyard. your best route kind of depends on the local shop prices, junkyard prices, and your budget...
 
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Old Apr 8, 2006 | 09:39 PM
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don't suppose the first rear end was a 10.25 full floater and the second rear end was a dana 60 both in 3.55...both will fit but this wiuld explain the wonderful 3" difference in the drive shaft. (can you get the driveshaft out of the truck you got the new rear end out of?...becha it's longer by 3"")_!!!!
 
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Old Apr 10, 2006 | 09:01 AM
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I brought the driveshaft in to get extended
 
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